We’ve been getting some email lately that all asks the same question about iPhone 3GS and 4 multitasking. On iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4, you can quickly switch between the applications you’re using; multitasking also allows certain applications to run in the background. Double-clicking the iPhone’s Home button lets you view the most recently used applications. The four most recently used application are shown at the bottom of the screen. Flick left to see more applications, if you have recently used many different apps, you may see 10, 20, 30, or more apps in that list. Our test phone currently shows 42 apps in the recents list. We are not sure what the limits (number of apps and/or amount of time before an app is not considered “recent”) - if anyone’s hit any limit(s), please let us know. Anyway, the basic point is: Don’t worry, not all of these apps are “running.” In fact, most of them are not. Those 42 apps are the last 42 apps you used, they’re not churning in the background, sucking up your battery life. Think of them sort of like Han Solo encased in carbonite; they’re in suspended animation, so they spring back to life right where you left them when tapped. So, that app list is there for your convenience, not to stress you out, so don’t worry, be happy! You’re running iOS4 on an iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4, you lucky son-a-ma-batches! Your iPhone is taking care of multitasking, so you don’t have to.
As is usually the case with this kind of accommodation, there is a tradeoff. The app running in the pixel-doubled 2X mode is obviously of lower quality in terms of sharpness. Everything - text, graphics, keyboards, content - appears larger in 2X mode. However, the app’s functionality - that is, whatever the app is supposed to accomplish for you - is still there. Assuming the app is compatible with the version of iOS that is running on your iPad, it just works. It’s as useful to you as when running it on an iPhone. For instance, aside from the functionality I get from a couple of iPhone-only photo greeting card apps, I don’t use photo editing apps that are not universal or iPad-native. When working on images, I want the best resolution possible. End of story. Incidentally, the same goes for games. At this point, you may be wondering how all this applies when actually perusing the App store.
The specifications that accompany the app descriptions are fairly clear. Additionally, some apps strictly made to run natively on an iPad are identified with an “HD” or “for iPad” tagged onto the app’s name. Examples include FX Photo Studio HD and OmniFocus for iPad. While Universal apps are increasingly common, you are likely to continue to find that some app developers create separate versions of their apps to specifically accommodate the two resolutions. It seems that this is generally done for some of the more complex, higher-end apps. You may be required to purchase each individually if you want a copy for each device. Again, the FX Photo Studio and OmniFocus apps come to mind. Apps may only work in portrait or landscape orientation. These apps will change orientation even with screen rotation lock enabled. Text and graphics may not appear as sharp when using 2X mode. If you prefer sharper text and graphics, use 1X instead. Some features may not be available on iPad (for example, apps that let you make phone calls or use the iPhone camera to take pictures on an older camera-less iPad). Universal apps work on all devices. Pad-specific apps will not work on iPhone. Assuming the apps in question are compatible with the installed version of iOS, most iPhone-only apps will work on iPad, albeit in pixel-doubled mode.
People love playing computer games at home, but being able to play them while on a journey by train really breaks up the monotony of staring out a window or listening to the inane conversations of your fellow passengers. IPhone games dont need to be complicated but they do need to be addictive. Sometimes the simplest ideas work the best. You dont need to spend millions to develop something that will be extremely popular. Think of Tetris or Brick. IPhone application reviews are obviously very important when deciding what you want for your iPhone. Some are free and some are paid, but the value to the consumer can vary. Students may want iPhone apps that will help them with their studies and will look for iPhone application reviews from their peers. The leading expert in a field may give an unfavourable review of an iPhone app, but if your nerdy best friend tells you that it is the greatest app ever, you will probably get it.
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